Refrigerator cabinet



July 20, 1937. M. w. KENNEY REFRIGERATO R CABINET Filed July 7, 1934runl ln lnuu uh l u l b Patented July 20, 1937 PATENT OFFICEREFRIGERATOR. CABINET Mahlon W. Kenney, Chicago, IlL, assignor, by mesneassignments, to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Chicago, 111., acorporation Application July 7, 1934, Serial No. 734,078

9 Claims.

My invention relates in general to refrlgeration and has more particularreference to a mechanical refrigerating system particularly well adaptedfor domestic use.

One of the important objects of the invention is toprovide for coolingthe operating parts of the refrigerating system, by naturaldraft.

' Another important object resides in providing a mechanicalrefrigerating system assembled in w a cabinet for use as a domesticrefrigerator cause a natural draft of air to circulate in the vicinityof the heat-developing parts forthe purpose of cooling the same.

Another important object is to provide a refrigerator cabinet formed toreceive the elements of a mechanical refrigerating system ineludingparts in which heat is liberated during the operation of the system andin so forming the cabinet as to provide a passage. in connection withsaid heat-generating parts whereby convection currents of relativelycold air are set up in said channel in heat-exchange relationship withsaid parts.

Another important object is to provide a refrigerator cabinet containingmechanical refrigerating means, said cabinet having a duct or flue inwhich heat-liberating elements of the refrigcrating system are disposedin position to cause a draft of relatively cold air to circulate in theflue for the purpose of carrying oif heat liberated by said elements.

I Another important object is to provide a refrigerator cabinet having acooling chamber and a mechanism chamber below the cooling chamber andhaving a mechanical refrigerating system including a cooling device inthe cooling chamber, and devices, including mechanical means adapted toliberate heat as a result of the operation of the system, said devicesbeing located in the mechanism chamber, and said cabinet having meansforming a flue extending in said mechanism chamber and behind said acooling chamber and cooperatively associated with said heat-generatingelements, whereby to utilize a natural draft through said flue for thepurpose of abstracting heat from the heat-generating elements.

Another important object is to provide a mechanical refrigerating systemincluding a refrigerant compressor and condenser wherein the compressoris located above the condenser in the 55 position to be cooled by risingair currents drawn Cit wherein means is provided for utilizingconvection currents caused-by the generation of heat in certain parts ofthe refrigerating system to.

through the condenser as a result of heat liberated by the condenser.

Another important object is to provide a mechanical refrigerating systemincluding a refrigerant condenser and compressor wherein the 5 condenseris mounted horizontally so as to create a natural draft of cooling airthrough the condenser by convection and wherein the compres sor islocated above the condenser in the path of said draft.

These and numerous other objects, advantages and inherent functions ofthe invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understoodfrom the following description, which, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing discloses a refrigerator embodying my presentinvention.

Referring to the drawing, t

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerating system asassembled in a cabinet to provide a domestic refrigerator embodying mypresent invention;

Figure 2 is a side view partially sectionalized of the device shown inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 inFigure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a demountable portion of therefrigerating system.

To illustrate the invention I have shown on the drawing a mechanicalrefrigerating system assembled in a cabinet ll adapted for use as adomestic refrigerator although it will be obvious that the refrigeratingsystem need not necessarily be arranged in a cabinet.

The refrigerating system comprises a cooling device 13, associatedheat-liberating elements wherein heat is liberated during the operationof the refrigerating system, and means co-operating with theheat-liberating elements of the system whereby the same are cooled bynatural drafts of cold air set up by the liberation of heat by saidelements during the operation of the system.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling device 13 comprises anevaporator in which a suitable refrigerating medium such asdichloromethane in liquid condition is evaporated for the absorption ofheat, while the heat-liberating elements include a compressor l5 and acondenser ll, the compressor being operatively connected to receive theevaporated refrigerant, compress the same, and deliver thecompressed'refrigerant to the condenser in which the same is liquefied,the condenser, in turn, being connected to deliver the refrigerant inliquid condition to the evaporator.

The condenser comprises aplurality of pipe coils 19 arranged inserpentine or other suitable fashion, the pipe coils being finned, ifdesired, to increase their heat-exchanging capacity. Heat is liberatedfrom the gaseous refrigerant at the condenser in order to'liquefy thesame, and the condenser is preferably arranged in substantiallyhorizontal position so that the'heat liberated in the coils thereof willcause an upward circulation of air by natural draft through thecondenser coils so that the cold air will be continuously drawn throughthe condenser for the purpose of continuously exposing the gasifiedrefrigerant, and normally operates at a relatively higher temperaturethan the air passing through the condenser.

In order to maintain the compressor at a safe operating temperature, Idispose the same in the path of the ascending air currents passing thecondenser so that the air draft initiated through the condenser by thefact that its coils are relatively warm, but which air is but slightlyheated in passing through the condenser, may also be utilized to coolthe compressor. The compressor may, of course, be of any suitable form,but I prefer to enclose it in a casing having upwardly extending fins 2|disposed in planes extending in the direction of the air-flow throughthe condenser in order to increase the heat-exchanging surface of thecompressor casing. I also prefer to drive the compressor by means of a.prime mover, preferably an electric motor housed within the compressorcasing so that the compressor and its prime mover comprise a motorcompressor unit sealed within the finned casing.

As heretofore stated, I prefer to assemble the elements of therefrigerating system in the cabinet II. To this end the cabinet isformed with an upper refrigerating compartment 23, and the coolingelement I3 is disposed in thecabinet in heat-exchange relationship withrespect to the atmosphere within the chamber 23. Preferably the elementI3 is mounted directly within the chamber although obviously it may bedisposed in an auxiliary chamber in the cabinet and com:- municatingwith the refrigerating chamber 23 to set up air circulation between theauxiliary chamber and the refrigerating chamber. The cabinet II alsopreferably is formed with a mechanism compartment 25 disposed in thecabinet below I the refrigerating chamber, the compressor and with thecondenser andwith the evaporator to form means through which theliquefied refrigerant may be delivered from the condenser to theevaporator. The conduits 21 and 29 extend into the mechanism compartmentfor connection respectively with the compressor and condenser, theconduit 21 being connected directly with the compressor intake portwhile the conduit 29 is connected with the outlet of an expansion valve3|, preferably of the float-controlled type. The float-controlledexpansion valve, in turn, is connected preferably through a dehydrator33 with the condenser outlet. The compressor has a discharge which isconnected directly with the condenser inlet by means of a conduit 35preferably extending entirely withinthe mechanism compartment 25. Thecabinet II also is provided with means forming a flue 31, the lowerportions of which extend within the mechanism compartment and enclosethe sides of the condenser and compressor in order to assist in creatingthe cooling draft of air throughthe condenser and past the compressor.The upper portions of the flue 31 extend at the rear of the cabinet, theflue passing behind the refrigerating compartment 23 and terminatingpreferably slightly below the top of the cabinet. The condenser,float-controlled expansion valve, dehydrator and compressor arepreferably mounted in any suitable or preferred fashion on a supportpanel 39 whereby all of the parts of the system which are located in themechanism compartment may be assembled in the cabinet as a unit. Thecondenser coils are preferably arranged in j a frame 4| which is mountedon the support panel 39 opposite an opening 43 of said panel to permitthe air drafts circulating through the condenser to rise upwardlythrough said opening 43 before traversing the condenser coils. Thecabinet also is preferably mounted on suitable supporting legs 45 inorder to permit an unrestricted flow of air to and through the opening43, the condenser and the flue. The condenser coils also are preferablyarranged in a plane sloping downwardly from the inlet side of thecondenser coils to the outlet side, which is disposed preferably in therearmost portions of the mechanism compartment. The compressor ispreferably mounted in the rearmost portions of the compartment abovethat part of the condenser which is adjacent the condenser outlet, sincethe lower temperature prevails in the condenser coils adjacent thecondenser outlet for the reason that the refrigerating medium, by thetime it approaches the condenser outlet, has been cooled and liquefiedduring its passage through the condenser coils adjacent the condenserinlet.

The upper portions of the flue 31 are preferably permanently mounted tothe cabinet. The lower portions of the flue, however, may be supportedon the panel 39 and may be removed from the cabinet with the mechanismcarried by said panel. To this end the lower flue portions comprisewalls having edges 41 and 49 formed for cooperation with the lower edgesof the flue portions permanently mounted on the cabinet so that when thepanel 39 and the mechanism thereon is assembled in the compartment 25,the lower flue portions will be positioned in cooperative alignment withthe upper flue portions to form a continuous flue opening at its lowerend at the bottom of the cabinet, and at its upper end at the top of thecabinet and providing passage through which currents of cooling air maypass in heat-exchange relationship with respect to the heat-generatingelements l5 and H. The panel 43 may also carry a housing 5| containingelectrical connections for applying power to the compressor drivingmotor from an external power source. In the illustrated embodiment,electrical power is delivered to the electrical system within the casing5| through a cable 53 provided with a plug 55 adapted for deteachableconnection in an electrical power outlet of ordinary constructionwhereby electrical power, such as is ordinarily available in houselighting systems, may be utilized for driving the compressor. The powerdistribution system contained within the casing 5| is connected by meansof a cable 51 with a. compressor motor and is also connected by means ofa cable 59 with a thermostat located in heat-exchange relationship withrespect to the cooling device B in order-that the opera.-v

in order that the cooling .unit may be re-.

moved from the system for repair or replacement without disturbing theconduits 21 and 28, which are built into the walls of the cabinet. Theconduits 21 and 29 also are, provided for detachable connectionrespectively with the compressor, and the expansion valve 3l'in order topermit the removal from the cabinet of the compressor, condenser andother mechanism carried by the panel 39 without disturbing saidconduits.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages and inherent functions will be understood from the foregoingdescription, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in theform, construction and arrangement of the several parts withoutdeparting from, the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing anyof its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferredembodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what'I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, a flue havingan end in said mechanism compartment and extending from and upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigcrating chamber, and aheat-liberating device located in the mouth of said flue in themechanism compartment to create a natural air draft through said flueand in heat-exchange relationship with respect to the heat liberatingdevice for the purpose of cooling the same.

2. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, a flue havingan end in said mechanismcompartment and extending from and upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber, and aheat-liberating device located in-position in the flue to create anatural air draft through said flue and in heat-exchange relationshipwith respect to the heat liberating device for the purpose of coolingthe same, said flue having a portion extending within the mechanismchamber and opening in the bottom of the cabinet below the heatliberating element.

3. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, 'a flue havingan end in said mechanism compartment and extending from and upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system. comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber, acompressor in said flue,

and a. heat-liberating condenser located in position in the mouth of theflue to create a natural air draft through said flue and inheat-exchange relationship with respect to the com- 4 pressor as well asthe heat-liberating condenser for the, purpose of cooling the same, saidflue extending from the mechanism chamber upwardly in the cabinetrearwardly of the refrigcrating compartment, and having an upper openend at the top of the'cabinet.

4. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a cooling chamber, amechanism compartment under the cooling chamber, means forming a finehaving lower portions extending in said mechanism compartment and upperportions extending from the mechanism compartment upwardly adjacent aside of the cooling chamber, a refrigcrating system in said cabinetcomprising a heatabsorption device mounted in said refrigeratingchamber, a heat-liberating device in the mechanism compartment andoo-operatively associated with said flue in position to initiate anatural air.

draft through said flue-in heat-exchange .relationship with said devicewhereby to cool the same, and conduit means in the walls of said cabinetfor connecting the absorption element with the heat-liberating device,said heat-liberating device being removably mounted in said mechanismcompartment and said conduit means being formed for detachableconnection with said heat-liberating device whereby the same may beassembled in and removed from the mechanism compartment withoutdisturbing the mounting of said conduit means, portions of saidflueforming means being connected to the heat-libcrating device forremoval and insertion with said device and formed to co-operate withother portions of the flue-forming means permanently mounted in thecabinet whereby to form a complete flue when the heat-absorbing deviceis in operating position in the mechanism compartment;

5. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a cooling chamber, amechanism compartment under the cooling chamber, means forming a fluehaving lower portions extending in said mechanism compartment and upperportions extending from the mechanism compartment upwardly adjacent aside of the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating system in saidcabinet comprising a heat-absorption device mounted in saidrefrigerating chamber, heat-liberating devices including a compressorand a refrigerant condenser located in the mechanism compartment, aheatliberating device in the mechanism compartment and co-operativelyassociated with said flue in position to initiate a natural air draftthrough said flue in heat-exchange relationship with the condenser andcompressor when the system is in operation for the purpose of coolingthe same,

and conduit means in the walls of said cabinet for connecting theabsorption element, the condenser and compressor in a refrigerantcirculating system, portions of the flue-forming means, said compressorand condenser being carried on a panel removably mounted in saidmechanism compartment, said conduit means being formed for detachableconnection with the condenser and compressor whereby the same may beassembled and removed from the mechanism compartment without disturbingthe mounting of said conduit means, and the portions of the flue-formingmeans carried by said removable panel being formed for co-operation withother portions of the flue-forming means permanently arranged in thecabinet nism compartmentand upper portions extending from .the mechanismcompartment upwardly adjacent'a side of the refrigerating chamber, arefrigerating system in said cabinet comprising a heat-absorption devicemounted in said refrigerating chamber, heat-liberating devices including a condenser and a compressor in said mechanism compartment inposition to initiate a natu ral air draft through said flue during theoperation of the system, and conduit means mounted in said cabinet andoperatively connecting the absorption element, thecondenser and thecom-- pressor in a refrigerant circulating system, said condenser andcompressor being carried on a support panel removably mounted in themechanism compartment, said panel when positioned in the,

cabinet forming the bottom wall of the mechanism compartment, and beingformed with an opening, said condenser being mounted on the panelopposite said opening, and the compressor being supported on said panelabove said condenser, portions of said flue-forming means being alsocarried by said panel in the compartment, said conduit means beingformed for detachable connection with the condenser and compressor andsaid portions of the flue-forming means carried by the 1 panel beingadapted when the panel is positioned I in the cabinet to co-operate withother portions of the flue-forming means which are permanently locatedin the cabinet whereby said condenser, compressor and portions of theflue-forming. means are mountable in and removable from the cabinet asan assembly unit.

7. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, a fiue havingan end in said mechanism compartment and extending from and upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber, and aheat-liberating device located in the mouth of said flue in themechanism compartment to create a natural air draft through said flueand in heat-exchange relationship with respect to the heateliberatingdevice for the purpose of cooling the same, and conduit means in thewalls of said cabinet for connecting the absorption element with theheat-liberating device, said heat-liberating device being removablymounted-in said mechanism compartment and said conduit means beingformed for detachable connection with the heat-liberating device wherebythe same may be assembled in and removed from the mechanism compartmentwithout disturbing the mounting of said conduit means.

8. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a, mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, a fine havingan end in said mechanism compartment and extending fromand upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber, and aheat-liberating device located in the mouth of said flue in themechanism compartment to create a natural air draft through said flueand in heat-exchange relationship with respect to the heat-liberatingdevice for the purpose of cooling the same, said heat-liberating devicebeing removably mounted in said mechanism compartment and portions ofsaid flue-forming means being connected with the heat-liberating devicefor removal and insertion in the cabinet with said device and formed forco-operation with permanently mounted portions of the flue whereby toform a complete flue when the heat-liberating device is in operatingposition.

9. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet forming a refrigerating chamber,a mechanism compartment under the refrigerating chamber, a flue havingan end in said mechanism-compartment and extending from and upwardly ofsaid mechanism compartment and opening above said mechanism compartment,said system comprising a heat absorbing device in heat-exchangerelationship with the atmosphere within the refrigerating chamber, and aheat-liberating device located in the mouth of said flue in themechanism compartment to create a natural air draft through said flueand in heat-exchange relationship with respect to the heat-liberatingdevice for the purpose of cooling the same, said cabinet comprising aremovable portion carrying the heat-liberating device within themechanism compartment and a part of the flue in position such that whenthe removable cabinet portion is assembled, the flue portions carriedthereby are positioned to co-operate with other flue portionspermanently mounted on the cabinet.

MAHLON W. KENNEY.

